Acer delays launch of Windows RT tablets

SAN FRANCISCO—Taiwanese computer OEM Acer Inc. is pushing back the launch of tablets using Microsoft's Windows RT operating system, the first version of Windows to run on ARM-based chips, according to a report by the Reuters news service.

According to the report, Acer initially planned to launch Windows RT tablets with ARM-based chips early next year. But the OEM pushed out the launches until at least the second quarter of 2013 to see how Microsoft's Surface tablet fares, according to the report.

The Reuters report quoted Jim Wong, Acer president, saying the firm is being more cautious in light of Surface, which has drawn mixed reviews.

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The success of Windows RT—the first version of Windows to run on anything other than chips built on Intel Corp.'s X86 architecture—is being closely watched by PC and tablet makers, as well as the chip makers that make the ARM-based chips that can run it—Texas Instruments Inc., Nvidia Corp. and Qualcomm Inc.

Also Tuesday (Oct. 30), Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that Microsoft has sold more than 4 million upgrades to Windows 8 since the new OS was launched Oct. 26. Ballmer reportedly said that preliminary demand for Windows 8 was higher than it had been for Windows 7.

I'm not surprised given Microsoft's moves to jump ahead of its own customers.
That said, Lenovo has already launched its product, and both Asus and ZTE have plans for WinRT.
The big question to me is whether there is much of a Windows tablet market for Microsoft or anyone. Do users want Windows apps on their tablets enough to pay the Windows OS and memory tax for them?
What edge does WinRT have over Android tabs besides a higher cost?

The only killing feature a WIn RT brings is the Microsoft Office. It will be interesting to wait and watch how well these apps run on a Windows RT based device, there are already some fumes coming out of it, but will have to give some more time to get some concrete FEEDBACK. Looking forward for positive feedback....